“Close Call Only (W1S 3ET)” 2024
Royal Academy Schools Show 2024
Royal Academy of Arts
6 Burlington Gardens
London
W1S 3ET
14.06.2024 - 30.06.2024
Racheal Crowther installed a Diamond D-777 antenna on the roof of the Royal Academy of Arts, London. A 70-metre military spec coax cable connected the antenna to a radio scanner, which was displayed in the first room of her showing space. The radio scanner had been programmed to scan through real time active frequencies within a 30-mile radius of the Academy for the duration of the show. A CCTV camera had also been installed on the roof pointing directly at the antenna with the live feed broadcast to the screen in the second room.
Installed on the roof of the Royal Academy of Arts, London:
Close Call Only (W1S 3ET), 2024
Diamond D-777 antenna, radio frequencies, military spec coax cable, CCTV camera (facing antenna)
Dimensions variable
Live installation (in real time)
First Room:
Close Call Only (W1S 3ET), 2024
Whistler TRX-2 radio scanner, security cage, speakers
Dimensions variable
Live installation (in real time)
Second Room:
Close Call Only (W1S 3ET), 2024
TV screen (broadcasting live feed of the antenna on the roof), anti-ligature TV cabinet
Dimensions variable
Live installation (in real time)
Mean time between failure, 2023
Serco® coffee vending machine
160cm x 66cm x 70cm
Serco has become one of the largest government contractors privately operating public services spanning across defence, health, immigration, and prison services. Founded in 1929 as a UK-based division of Radio Corporation of America, they provided services to the British War Office during WWII. Serco supplied the department with hardware which would simulate the sound of warfare to confuse enemies.